Florida red-bellied cooter

Description:

The Florida Redbelly Turtle is closely related to the Peninsula Cooter. The two species can often be found basking on logs together. The Florida Redbelly Turtle has a distinctive red-tinged belly. They have notches on either side of the upper jaw. The skin is dark with yellowish stripes. There is a short stripe on top of head between the eyes.

Habitat:

Found in various types of aquatic habitat, including lakes, ponds, streams, spring runs, and sometimes brackish water. It spends a large part of the day basking on logs. There were several of these turtles peeking out of the waters of Lake Waldena in Silver Springs, florida.